Investigation Service detains 17 and charges 11 over illegal psychotropic medication trade as former regulatory officials face charges

The Investigation Service has arrested 17 individuals in connection with an illegal psychotropic medication ring worth over 53 million GEL, while three others are set to be placed on a wanted list. The details were disclosed during a press briefing held by the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia.

As noted during the briefing, a further 11 individuals have been formally charged without being detained, including former senior officials from the Medical and Pharmaceutical Regulation Agency.

“The Investigative Service of the Ministry of Finance has dismantled a criminal operation involving the illegal trade of psychotropic medicines worth over 53 million GEL, the laundering of illicit proceeds by an organised crime group, and unlawful entrepreneurial activity.

More than 1,000 investigative and procedural actions have been carried out in this case. To date, 17 members of the organised group have been detained, and arrest warrants will be issued for three individuals currently in hiding. Furthermore, 11 individuals were charged without being remanded after cooperating with the investigation and helping expose this extensive criminal network. Criminal proceedings have also been initiated against 24 legal entities registered in Georgia,” the Investigative Service stated.

According to the agency, the defendants include former high-ranking figures from the Medical and Pharmaceutical Regulation Agency. The investigation alleges that these officials abused their official positions for personal gain over several years, facilitating the operation of the illicit scheme and acting directly against the public interest.

According to investigators, the large-scale network fueled “over-the-counter prescription drug abuse” across the country between 2018 and 2025. The operation was allegedly orchestrated by the heads of companies importing psychotropic medications.

To conceal the illicit trade, the importing companies documented the transfer of medicines to fictitious pharmaceutical firms registered in the names of associates. In reality, these potent medications were distributed nationwide and sold at a high markup without prescriptions or proper permits, often through outlets that lacked legitimate pharmacy status.

At this stage of the investigation, the illicit revenue generated from the illegal trade of psychotropic medicines has been calculated at 53,833,723 GEL. To legitimise these funds, a significant portion was laundered by being funnelled into salaries and dividends.

Using these financial resources, the defendants and their associates acquired substantial amounts of real estate and moveable property. These assets have been fully frozen by court order to secure future asset recovery and restitution.

Beyond causing tens of millions of GEL in material damage to the state, the crime group directly endangered the lives and health of thousands of citizens by bypassing medical controls to retail psychotropic drugs to individuals.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted under Articles 192 and 194 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which carry custodial sentences ranging from 9 to 11 years.

“We issue a stark warning to all individuals and corporate entities, including owners and executives operating in this sector: the state will be unyielding against crimes that deplete the state budget, heighten corruption risks, and threaten human life and health. Consequently, intensive intelligence-led operations and continuous monitoring will persist until over-the-counter prescription drug abuse is completely eradicated from the country,” the Investigative Service concluded during the briefing.